Suryanelli survivor seeks to implead in PIL against Kurien

Kochi: The Suryanelli rape survivor on Monday approached the Kerala High Court seeking to implead herself in the PIL which sought a direction for further investigation into the involvement of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien in the nearly two decade-old case.

In her petition, the woman submitted that she was a proper and necessary party to the proceedings and the most affected person.

The case relates to a 16-year-old girl from Suryanelli in Kerala's being abducted in January 1996 and taken to to various places and sexually exploited by at least 40 odd persons.

Earlier, Kerala Government had filed an affidavit in the High court stating that the PIL filed by Mahila Sangam state committee was not maintainable and was liable to be dismissed. It had been filed without the knowledge and consent of the victim, the government contended.

The government had stated that the grievance narrated in the petition was 'purely a personal cause' of the survivor and no way connected with the petitioner's aim and object.

The case relates to a 16-year-old girl from Suryanelli in Kerala's Idukki district being abducted in January 1996 and taken to to various places and sexually exploited by at least 40 odd persons.

Kurien, who is alleged to be an accused, was acquitted in the case but the survivor had recently named him as one of those who allegedly assaulted her at the Kumily guest house on February 9, 1996. Kurien has maintained that he had been cleared of the charges by the Supreme Court.